Torness reaches momentous generating milestone

Wednesday, 7 August 2013 saw Torness clocking up 200TWh of low carbon electricity generated since Scotland's youngest nuclear power station connected to the grid in 1988 – a momentous milestone.

Putting this into perspective this amount of power has avoided around 130 million tonnes of CO2 or, put another way, the same as taking all of the passenger cars off the UK's roads for two years!

There are two reactors at Torness - both capable of generating 665 megawatts of power every minute of every day. This is enough low carbon electricity for around two million homes

The 550 staff at the power station, not to mention the additional 200 or so contractors working there, are proud of the latest record breaking achievement. It's an outstanding performance by anyone's measure and tribute to the consistent safe working practices demonstrated by EDF Energy's staff and contract partners. What makes this achievement even better is that Torness celebrated 25 years of generation in May 2013.

This 200TWh milestone is supported by excellent safety performance - the site has cleared 766 days without any nuclear reportable 909 days without any environmental reportable events and 1668 days without any lost time incidents – well on its way to achieving zero harm.

Station Director Paul Winkle is justly proud of this performance: “As a team, we all know how challenging it is to keep the reactors producing power for this length of time. But by placing nuclear safety first, maintaining high levels of nuclear professionalism and strong operational focus we have managed to generate 200 TWh.

“The use of strong operational decision making processes has allowed the station to manage the associated risks and keep the units safely operational.

“I am very proud of this performance. It’s all down to our people at the station and I would like to thank every Torness employee, contract partner and our central support functions for their contribution.”